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December ..31, 1853.] THE LEADER. 1251
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INDIAN REFORM. The Bombay Native Associa...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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. Decimal Coinage. Liverpool Is Taking T...
«• The Duke of Leinster gave us information , that when the Irish currency was changed from 13 d . Irish to 12 d . Eng lish , it was soon understood by the poor , and no difficulty arose with them . "Dr . Bowringsays that his Chinese servant , and a Chinese boy in his service , by the use of decimals , were rap id and accurate calculators . He never knew them to make a mistake ; they were an over-match for him in the use of figures , and he never met a Chinaman who had not those advantages . " The above is merely a glance at the Parliamentary evidence , which is most valuable , and which ought to be read to be sufficiently appreciated . The Board of Trade had
previously addressed letters to several persons who , it was thought , could give information on the subject ; those persons were called before the committee , and there never was more concurring testimony offered in favour of a decimal system than by the witnesses who attended . "It will be perceived that the proposed new mil or farthing is 4 per cent , less than our present farthing , but that with reference to the gold and silver coinage this difference is compensated bjr getting 25 mil pieces for a sixpence hi place of 24 farthingSj and 50 for a dulling in place of 48 farthings , which is a very trifling disturbance , and will be far outweighed by the advantages arising from the adoption of a pure decimal currency .
" Under these circumstances it is hoped that you will encourage the adoption of the committee ' s report , as presented to Parliament , and that you . will suggest to the authorities to afford their aid 4 > y the expression of their views bypetition to Parliament . This , I believe , is all that is wauting to confer a great national benefit , by putting us in a position , by a labour-saving-machine ( for such it practically is ) , more easily to meet our foreign rivals in the markets of the world . We know the advantage of labour-saving machines in all our manufacturing towns , and in our improved instruments of husbandry .- The saving of labour , by increasing the demand for pur industry , requires more hands to carry on the work , and , in every view , is an important benefit , "
A meeting , convened and presided over by the Mayor , Mr . John B . TAoyd , for the purpose of affording the inhabitants an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the benefits of a decimal currency , was held on Wednesday , in the Sessions House of Liverpool , and was attended by several of the leading merchants . The first resolution was moved by Mr . William Brown , M . P ., and Chairman-of the Select Committee of the House of Commons upon the subject , and seconded by Mr . Thomas Bonch ,
Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce , recognising the principle and advantages resulting from the system . Another resolution , pointing out the facilities attending upon a decimal coinage to all classes in the community , was proposed by Mr . Thomas B . Horsfall , M . P ., and adopted . Several speeches were made by the mercantile gentlemen present in favour of the adoption of the proposed currency , and the meeting concluded by unanimous votes of thanks to Mr . Brown and the mayor for their exertions in the cause .
December ..31, 1853.] The Leader. 1251
December .. 31 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . 1251
Indian Reform. The Bombay Native Associa...
INDIAN REFORM . The Bombay Native Association , formed 26 th of August , 1852 , for the purpose of promoting improvements in the Government of India on the expiration of the Charter Act , rendered its first annual report at a large meeting of native gentlemen of all castes , held at Bombay on the 9 th of November . The following speech of the president , Jugganathjee Sunkersett , Esq ., which was delivered in Gujaratee , affords a general view of the position and intentions of the society : —
" I trust that the report of our proceedings , submitte d this year to you , will appear satisfactory , and will induc ° you to lend further assistance to , and to take still greater interest in , the cause of Indian Reform , for which the association was inaugurated in this very hall on the 2 Gth of August , 1852 . Our discouragoments have been many ; but wo have surmounted obstacles beyond tlio expectations of the most sanguiue . The attention of the British public has been drawn to the state of India to a greater extent than it was over before . Our proceedings for the past year have cleared our ideus , which will enables us to act in future with mucli better effect ; and wo trust that hereafter we will show redoubled efforts and dispatch for the advancement of the best
interests of this country . The sympathy which we have met with from the great mass of our countrymen is no doubt a subject of great satisfaction to the committee ; and this satisfaction wihjstill further bo enhanced , by the reflection that men of large views und liberal sentiments in England , have also regarded with approbation our humble proceedings , which , wo trust , may produce bunnlicial results . We me glad at the foresight winch originally contemplated tlio keeping up of our association , ho long aa there was any prospect of accomplishing our object and doing good ami bettering the condition of our countrymen . If you approve of the recommendation made by the managing coiunlitteo in their
report , which will bo road to you presently , wo will keep . up and extend oilr origunisatiou and ni <; roiiae our sphere of usefulneHB ; especially as our prospects are bright , and as the duration of tbo India Hill , winch lm . s recently piased into law , has not been limited to any length of time , mul it has boon so formed us to preaent no obstacles to any alteration , improvement , or addition which may bo doomed advisable or necessary / Tito committee- will bo ghul to resume thair patriotic labours and to make fresh appeals to tlio British public , to tho Imperial Parliament , and her Majesty ' s ( Government , with the viow of pressing our claims on their attention , and obtaining such changes and reforms na have boon overlooked . " It seems that the secretary has been obliged to re-Big l in consequence yi . " the increasing jmvsaurc of Iiia
professional engagements . This gentleman is Bhawoo Dajee , Esq ., a medical graduate , educated in European science . His successor is Nowrozjee Furdoonjee , fourth interpreter of the Supreme Court , whose book on the " Judicial Administration of the Bombay Presidency" came before the British publie a few months ago . The report of the committee , too long for insertion entire , presents several points for notice . After adverting to the constitution of its
committees and working staff , it occupies itself with its petitions to Parliament . Its first and great petition was agreed to at a public meeting , despatched to their agent in England , Mr . John Chapman , and through Sir Ed ward Ryan , Sir Erskine Perry , and Mr . Cameron , was presented to the Peers by Lord Monteagle , and the Commons by Mr . JJeveson Grower . Thanks are given to all these parties , and special notice is taken of the zealous and efficient advocacy of some portions of the English press .
" Several hundred copies of an abstract of the petition ( which could not be published entire , consistently with the courtesy due to Parliament ) were printed , and appeared in the columns of most of the leading journals ^ with , in many caseSj notices highly approving of the tone and contents of the petition . Several of these notices are annexed in Appendix B . This , your committee aye happy to state , has greatly contributed towards attracting the attention of the British public to the affairs of India . " The notices of the Bombay , Madras , and Calcutta petitions , as well as the timely appearance of some able
pamphlets on Indian affairs by several eminent and disinterested friends of India , have tended still further to awaken : and maintain the spirit of interest in , and inquiry respecting India , which has lately arisen in England . "We trust the effect thus ; produced "will continue to be supported , until such arrangements are made for the government of these vast territories as will conduce to the improvement and happiness of the natives , and reflect honour on the British name . "To the British press generally , and to the Times in particular , we Feel deeply indebted for their able and sustained advocacy of the claims and interests of the natives of India . "
The report then proceeds to notice the pamphlet of Mr . Bruce Norton , on the Judicial System , of Madras , the applicability of its statements to that of Bombay also , the institution of the India Reform Society in London , under the presidency of Danby Seymour , Esq ., M . P ., and the secretaryship of John" Dickinson , Esq . ; the thanks due to Mr . Bright , Mr . Sullivan , Mr . Hume , and other active and tried friends of India ; and the advantages derived from " the recent and valuable works of Mr . John Dickinson , Mr . Cameron , Mr . Norton , and Mr . Chapman , " by means of their circulation in India as well as in this country . It then states that the association has formed a . library of the most valuable works on Indian affairs , to which is added a collection of the published records of the local government .
Adverting , then , to the change in public opinion from apathy to some degree of interest , which has been produced by the efforts of the several Indian Associations and their European friend , it states that it has remitted no lees than 1000 / . to the India Reform Society of London ; viz ., 400 / . from their own funds , and 600 / ., the produce of a separate subscription ; from which we infer that the London Society has been chiefly supported by . Indian contributionsa most encouraging fact when rightly viewed . The second petition is next mentioned ; it was directed against tho one-sided character of the evidence then being taken by the Parliamentary Committees , and prayed a remedy .
Noticing , then , the want of information in England , and consequent apathy of public opinion here , as presenting great difficulties to their undertaking , at its commencement , tho report congratulates the people of India on the defeat of the original intention merely to renew the old act , and on the gain of several important improvements in conformity with the prayer of tho Bom- , bay petitioners . They had objected to tho anomalous and detrimental construction of tho Homo Government , and tliat Government has been altered somewhat for the bettor ; they had objected to tho payment of tho directors by patronage , and that evil
has been diminished ; they had objected to tho exclusive system of supplying members for j _ the civil service , and that system has been revised , although they still have to complain that it does not put competent nutives on a fair footing ; they objected to tlvo general condition of the legislative und judicial departments of the Government ' , and those departments have been improved , and measures taken for carrying on reforms to a useful , although , perhaps , not to n sufficient extent , finally , ' tho association asked that tho opportunity might always remain open for further ameliorations , without being impeded by a grant of power to the East India Company for a definite term of years , and Parliament was pleated so to
determine . Tho committee then recommend renewed and sustained efforts in tho eamo cause in these terms : — "Your committee cannot but congratulate the Bombay Association < m the success that hna bo far attended their ett'n-tH , combined with those of their countrymen at . the sister presidencies imd of thoir friends iu Knglunil . Aa thia
is only the first instalment of reforms that may be expected to follow in due course , your committee recommend the association to persevere in their efforts , to keep up and extend their organisation , and resources , and to work with unabated zeal . Now that the natives of this country have , in some measure , succeeded in removing the ignorance and dispelling the apath y of the British public , in regard to their actual state , their requirements , and their grievances , and have secured many able and disinterested supporters in and cut of Parliament , we may with confidence anticipate complete success .
" Your committee would therefore recommend the Bombay Association to resume their patriotic labours , and at the next and subsequent sessions to press their just demands on the attention of the Imperial Parliament . " The impression in England is already very general that the new act will prove only a temporary measure . The character and value of further changes will , in a great measure , depend on the wisdom and discretion with which the Native Associations , the representatives of the people of 1
India , conduct then : proceedings . If the natives of this vast empire use vigorously the opportunities afforded them by the new act , the time cannot be far distant when , the public feeling of the British people , the claims of the natives of India , and the mutual interests of both countries , will lead to a liberal and efficient system of administration , to the abandonment of the principle or rather the practice of exclusiveness , and a more general concession to the natives of their rights and privileges , and of a more efficient administration of Government . "
The remaining public matter noticed is the proposal by the Association to the Government of the establishment of Courts of Request in the interior , presided over by local native officers , partly chosen by the people ; a subject which the Government said the Sudder Adawlut was considering , and which it was , indeed , known that court had long been considering without effect . We trust , however , that the Indian Law Commission , which has just commenced its labours , will not deem this one of the least of the reforms it has to achieve . -- We have only space to add , that of 33 , 519 rupees given , or subscribed to the society , only 16 , 966 have been spent , and to recommend to serious attention the following speech of Bhawoo Dajee , Esq ., delivered to a large meeting of natives , of whom Hie greater - part understood it in the English language : —
"I rise to return , on behalf of the committee , their best thanks to the meeting , for the kind expression of confidence in their proceedings . The Gujaratee not being my vernacular tongue , I crave the indulgence of the meeting in permitting me to address it in English . I feel the less hesitation in doing so , as I know the great majority of the native gentlemen here assembled understand the English language . " Our countrymen at Calcutta held a monster meeting in the Town Hall on the 29 th July last , and some admirable speeches were then made commenting on Sir C . Woods speech , and the new India Bill , and on some of the evidence given by . Messrs . Halliday , Marahman , and others , before the Select Committees of the Houses of Parliament .
" Mr . Halliday ' s insinuation that the nativeB of India would not bo proud of the elevation of their countrymen , was proved to be not founded on fact : wo may , I think with truth , disclaim the existence of any such feeling in this Presidency—although it cannot fail to be excited when an incompetent native is placed in a responsible office , the natives being as averse to see their OAvn incompetent countrymen in high posts as incompetent Europeans . " During the last year the Bombay Association has presented to the Imperial Parliament two petitions respecting the wants of this Presidency . They have had the distinguished eminence of not being contradicted . I purposely do not allude to a reply by tho Sudder judges to the statements of
contained in the twenty- ^ second paragraph our first petition , as the committee will in a few days , in an answer which they have prepared , prove to the impartial public that the reply of tho Sudder is inconclusive and decoptive . Our petitions , in conjunction with those from Bengal and Madras , have drawn the attention of the British public to India and its wants . It is well known that before tho arrival of the petitions , tlio Ministers intended Bimply to renew tho bill of 1833 . From tho reports of tho committees it appeared that tho act of 1784 , encumbered with tho various deteriorations it lins suffered by each successive enactment , was about to be extended with little alteration to 1874 .
" That for the next twenty yeara tlio natives of Hindustan wore , aB heretofore , to bo in a great measure excluded from public employment in their own country , although pronounced by Act of Parliament as equally eligible for tins as Europeans , and proved by tho testimony of tho Duko oi ' Wellington , Lord William Bcntinck , tho Karl of lOllenborough , Sir George Kussol Clerk , Mr . J . Sullivan , Mr . Holt Mackenzie , and all tho ablest statesmen of tho nge , to bo eminently qualified for oflico . Wo wero to have till tlio close of tho present century , : i constitution , which was framed during tho end of tho lust . We wero to have three separate sets ofjtho Government of India , tho principal function of each of which seems to be to thwart and retard the opuratioiiB of tho others , —tho Leudonhull-Btreot division costing 130 , 000 / . a year , being merely tlio ministers of
patronage , and placo of record , without one atom oi : power beyond thin , that of suggesting , criticising , mul obstructing , tho Board of Control , costing 250 , 000 / . a year , managed by a President appointed without any necessary qualification to tho office , whoso average tenure of oilico has , since JH 20 , fallen short of two years , void of all responsibility , endowed with absolute power , governing in secret , and presenting to Pnrliarnont when asked for information , collections of papors ho luminously curtailed und garbled us to mislead m place of enlightening , and whoso main contributions to the policy of India during twenty yearn have been wars , which have cost thirty millions sterling , including amongst tliein fcho Seiiido infamy and Oabool disustor . We have three GoverninentH in India coating half tv million sterling unntmlly amjongut tlmn >
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 31, 1853, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_31121853/page/3/
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